Chairman Brings USO Show to Remote Afghan Bases

American Forces Press Service ^ | Jim Garamone

[SandRat]

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan, April 22, 2009 – Max Martini, who plays Army Master Sgt. Mack Gerhardt in the CBS show “The Unit,” raced up a steep hill at a combat outpost in 28 seconds.

Actor Robert Patrick from the CBS television series "The Unit" cheers on fellow cast member Max Martini in a race with soldiers assigned to Combat Outpost Deysie, Afghanistan, April 22, 2009. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is on a six-day tour of the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility escorting a USO tour, meeting with counterparts and visiting troops. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

“I can’t be beat by an actor,” said one real soldier, who raced up the same course in 24 seconds. Cheers resounded.

The good-hearted race was part of a USO show that Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, brought to Afghanistan today. On what’s known as a “handshake tour,” Mullen brought long-time Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, basketball hall of famer David Robinson, as well as Martini and fellow cast members of “The Unit,” Dennis Haysbert and Robert Patrick to meet, speak to -- and compete with -- U.S. servicemembers at out-of-the way bases.

“They bring a little bit of America to the troops,” Mullen said. “I try to bring USO entertainers on as many of the trips as I can, because they do brighten everybody’s day.”

Mullen praised the USO troupe for its commitment to servicemembers. “I’m delighted that they would take their personal time to do this,” Mullen said.

Lasorda praised the young men and women he met, saying they “are what America is all about.”

Robinson, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a naval officer before his professional basketball career with the San Antonio Spurs, said he is impressed by the commitment the servicemembers show. “These are men and women who walk our streets, but understand why it is important to serve,” he said.

In addition to its visit here, the troupe visited Forward Operating Base Airborne and Combat Outpost Deysie today.

Biographies:
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen

[SandRat]

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[wastedyears]

Awesome stuff

[Big_Monkey]

"“I can’t be beat by an actor,” said one real soldier

What a great line. I hope the Unit gets picked up. They all seem like decent guys in real life.

[max americana]

Definitely. Hard to believe that David Mamet produces it. I think it jumped the shark a bit when one of the unit members who was (spoiler) turned up (spoiler).

[max americana]

I was just watching HEAT’ with De Niro/Pacino 2 nights ago and Dennis Haysbert was the cook/driver of the bank shoot-out.

[Big_Monkey]

"I was just watching HEAT’ with De Niro/Pacino 2 nights ago and Dennis Haysbert was the cook/driver of the bank shoot-out.

That's the funniest thing. I too watched Heat on Tuesday night - I hadn't seen in in years, although I own the DVD. I was shocked to see Haysbert and didn't remember him at all.

I think some of the story lines were weak this year and the writing has suffered overall, but it's still one of the few shows I watch with any regularity.

From what I understand, Mamet fashions himself as somewhat of a defense-minded independent. I've read some quotes of his that were critical of Dems. He's no conservative, but he's certainly not in the Susan Sarandon crowd either.

I've seen Glengarry Glen Ross the movie about a dozen times and have seen the play three times. The 2005 NY production was terrific.

[max americana]

Now that’s an eye-opener. Not the David Mamet point but Haysbert...

[max americana]

Not only that, I didn’t even known that Jeremy Piven was the doctor who treated Val Kilmer in the end, plus that’s the first time I saw William Fichtner in a movie. Aside from being the lead Delta guy in Black Hawk Down (and the bank manager with the shotgun in Dark Knight).

Regarding Mamet’s work, I have read that op-ed of his. The closest I could describe him is a neo-libertarian. He’s also a UFC fanatic as he said himself. No wonder he made the film “red Belt’. GG Ross is a remarkable piece of work. Usually I loathe Alec Baldwin, but his 5 minute rant of Always be selling’ is one of the most memorable scenes I could remember.

[Dapper 26]

The Unit, one of my two favorite TV shows.

[max americana]

That is correct. Haysbert shuts up about his politics. Same thing with Tiger Woods. He implied that he voted for O, but he finds the time to visit our soldiers and speaks to them whenever he can. Robin Williams is in the same boat. A San Fran lefty, but has been to Iraq more than 5 times.